Author: Frances

Tomatillos, sometimes called husk tomatoes, look like green, unripe tomatoes with a dry, leafy husk. The color is a beautiful bright green, which fades a bit once cooked—but hey, some of us just peak early, right? ⁠
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Tomatillos have a slightly more acidic, less sweet flavor than tomatoes and are the perfect base for one of my favorite recipes, Chili Verde With Chicken and Vegetables. Delicious, versatile, do-ahead, and great for a crowd, it’s loaded with vegetables, full of flavor and it’s what’s for dinner! Also freezes well…See the recipe through the my stories or of course, in my book California Cooking and Southern Style.⁠
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Photography: the_bojon_gourmet⁠
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The formerly busiest intersection of our (now even more) quiet little town of Los Olivos. I had to wait for this truck to roll by just so I could include a sign of life. My friends at @santaynezgeneral, who are designing an eventually-to-be-opened new restaurant in town, asked me to do a few paintings for it. I was so flattered, and terrified. This is the first. 11×14 oil on canvas. Hope they like it 😉 And thanks for the help @camillefineart and @rkart1

So many of us are unsure of how to proceed during these strange times. My best advice? Trust your instincts.

Surrounded by 600 acres of vineyards and orchards of pears, plums, lemons, oranges, olives and mandarins, @Babylonstoren is one of the oldest Cape Dutch farms in Cape Town, South Africa. I’ve long nurtured a love of Africa, and southern Africa in particular, and the Cape Dutch architecture characterized by thick whitewashed walls, elegant gables and stalwart fireplaces, is one of my favorites. I’m officially putting a stay at Babylonstoren on my bucket list. Any other Cape Dutch architecture lovers out there? Here’s looking at you @slimpaley @antheaboehmke @serenacrawford⁠
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It’s five o’clock somewhere (and hey all you day-drinkers, it’s quarantine EVERYwhere 😉 so let’s celebrate with a Spring Buzz. This Chamomile, Whiskey and Honey Cocktail by @bromabakery is full of flavor with none of the sugar, a gorgeous blend of chamomile, lemon balm, and valerian root. “Perfect for those warmer nights when you want something refreshing and calming,” says Broma. ⁠
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Pop by my stories for the recipe, and cheers!

A little bit of beauty to start off the week. I am swooning over this image. But wait, should the other model have gloves on too? And where are their masks?!… ⁠
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Powerhouses @erdem and @degournay have combined their visions for a beautiful Spring collection of wallpaper depicting birds perched on flowering branches against brightly colored and sorbet-hued backdrops, and long flowing dresses with billowy sleeves and gauzy separates winding prints of flora and fauna. Head to my stories and get lost in the beauty!

We are deep into lemon season here in California (it lasts until about May) and our trees are bowing under the weight of all the beautiful, bright citrus prime for the picking. What to do with so many lemons? Make the best lemon pie of your life of course!⁠
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A while ago I heard about a lemon pie, a North Carolina lemon pie, that changed my life. Well not really but I wanted to get your attention. It is that good. “A North Carolina Pie That Elicits an ‘Oh My God’ Response” ran on NPR’s All Things Considered’s Found Recipes series courtesy of Katie Workman, who is fab. She says the Atlantic Beach Lemon Pie from Crook’s Corner restaurant in Chapel Hill, NC, is the best pie she’s ever had. Crook’s Corner Chef Bill Smith calls it the easiest recipe in the world.⁠
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You do not have to tell me twice. Even Rancho La Zaca Chef Stephanie Valentine loves it, which is saying something. So check the recipe on my site and grab those lemons!⁠
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One nice thing about spending so much time around the house is noticing how the light moves around it. At about midday the sun beams through the skylight in our great room and makes this bold graphic pattern on the floor and illuminating whatever flowers or foliage are on the table, almost making them look lit from within. This scene, when i catch it, brings me out of whatever distraction I am no doubt in, and into the present moment, and I feel grateful for everything in it. .
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#rancholazaca #homesweethome #gratitude #orchid #hughnewelljacobsenarchitect #prettylight #stayinthemoment

No place in the world takes color so seriously as Jaipur. Deep, rich and full of life…they approach a hue with gusto. The fabled Pink City is woven from a rich tapestry of color, craft and heritage. Bar Palladio, captured here by @lucylaught. She gave @Vogue all of her tips to taking in the magical city and I am taking notes! See them all through the #linkinbio

We may not be traveling anytime soon, but that doesn’t mean we can’t escape. Reminisce with me on a visit to a vineyard and beautiful luncheon outside Florence.⁠
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“About an hour-and-some out of Florence, we turn up the little dirt road leading to Fattoria Resta, the home of Annalisa Tempestini and her Martin del Nero wine…..” Tap the #linkinbio for more!

While we couldn’t gather as we once planned…celebrate we did this Easter weekend. I made one of my favorite dishes for this time of year, Green Spring Vegetables from my latest book, California Cooking & Southern Style.⁠
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Chopped fresh herbs highlight the bright green flavors of spring in this dish. We’ve used asparagus and snap peas here but you might also try pea shoots, peas, julienned zucchini, escarole, watercress, snow peas, haricots verts, or any combination thereof. Head to my stories for the recipe and enjoy! And let us know how you spent the weekend?

Easter Day 2020. 1. Lupen in full bloom on the ranch and everywhere 2. The church was decorated beautifully and remains open to any and all, keeping distance and 3. Our low key Easter dinner, which we nevertheless dressed up for and used the china and silver as we do always anyway, and I hope you do too because what are you saving it for…. but a far cry from last year’s lunch for 45 in the olive grove… I hope yours was happy and chocolate…